A week passed since the goblin tribe near the gathering routes was wiped out.
No attacks have been reported since then. Even the predatory animals seem to have understood the warning and stayed away from the area.
As a result, the gatherers were now way less worried about getting attacked by creatures or beasts.
In the past, a wolf pack would usually attack them every other day. During the past week, however, there were zero attacks.
Blanc's intimidation tactics seem to have worked wonders for the gatherers.
Currently, Blanc is in his office waiting for someone to arrive.
A few more minutes later, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in"
"I'm here mayor."
"Ahh Leif! Come, sit here, I have a mission for you."
"Yes, mayor"
Blanc gave Leif a deep look and said
"This mission is about Count Laurelei, your captain Helena's father."
Leif was startled upon learning that his mission was related to Count Laurelei.
But he knew that this mission would be extremely important and he was honored that the mayor chose him for this task.
Leif took a few minutes to gather his composure and asked
"I see. What should I do?"
"You must travel back to the kingdom of Lockridge to gather information regarding Count Laurelei's whereabouts."
"There is a chance that he is still alive. If you can't get enough information in the Kingdom of Lockridge, I would have to trouble you to proceed towards the Dukedom of Samara."
"If the Count is still alive, get information about where Duke Samara is holding him hostage. If he is dead, try to gather information about his dead body, we must at least bring it back here."
"Take note that your job is only to gather information. If you have valuable information, come back first and we will arrange a rescue party."
"Also, take care of yourself. Don't take large risks, prioritize your safety first. Understood?"
"Yes…Mayor!"
After explaining the mission to Leif, he gave him a huge pouch of silver coins. Money is essential for information gathering.
You will never be able to get any information if you lack money.
Luckily for Leif, he won't be struggling about this matter since Blanc gave him a whole 1500 silver coins for this mission.
As for why Blanc entrusted the mission to Leif, it was because Leif seemed to be the most critical thinker out of all the squad leaders.
Although he was weaker by a very small margin compared to Alex, he was still quite strong.
His current combatant tier is tier 4 elite combatant physique with a combat technique tier of tier 4 advanced swordsmanship.
Leif would be able to protect himself and escape even if he was surrounded by 20 individuals.
Any more than that and his life would be in danger so he still has to move carefully when executing his mission.
After getting instructions and money from Blanc, Leif left the office in order to bring some personal necessities before leaving the town.
As for Blanc, he went back to reading books inside his office. He's expecting one more person today.
Half an hour later, Alex knocked on the door.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Come in"
"Mayor…You called?"
"Yes, I have to discuss an impending bandit invasion."
Upon hearing the topic of their discussion, Alexander's eyes narrowed into a slit.
"Which bandit even dares? Even a large and known bandit group should only have around 300 to 400 people. In addition, their weaponry should be weak. Even if they have a couple of strong combatants, there's no way they can take us on."
Blanc applauded Alexander for his analysis. Seems like he will have a fine general in the future.
"You aren't wrong. Unfortunately, these bandits are probably backed by greedy nobles around the north side of the Terravalle Kingdom."
"Luckily for us, it's only a few nobles that we're up against. These greedy nobles are the ones that were unsatisfied with their current king."
"They will never get their king's backing so once we destroy their ragtag army of bandits and personal soldiers, they can only cry on their own. There will be no way for them to get their revenge."
After hearing Blanc's explanation, Alex couldn't help but clench his fists.
"These dirty nobles! They couldn't keep their hands to themselves huh? Trying to destroy their new home? I'll destroy them with my own hands"
Alex thought to himself.
His thoughts were cut short though as Blanc continued explaining.
"I've researched the nobles on the north side of Terravalle Kingdom. There were three houses there that were close to each other. Count Sydney, Viscount Parwen, and Baron Loman."
"These three nobles have been close for many decades. Pay no attention to them though as their current heads are real blockheads and their thinking has already been clouded by riches."
"I'm expecting that the number of men they will use to attack us is around 700 to 800. Out of their max number, probably around 600 men would be standard soldiers. I'm expecting that even our new warriors would win."
"As for their elites, I'm expecting around a hundred up to a hundred and twenty people. The problem is their commanders. Do you think you can win your one versus one battle against their commanders?"
Blanc asked for Alexander's opinion. If he's confident that they can win their one-on-one battles, then it should be a quick rout for their side.
"Hmm…I'm certain that me and the others will win against their commanders but I remembered there is a famous commander under Count Sydney. I believe that the guy was nicknamed "Iron Tiger" due to his extraordinarily tough body and powerful strikes."
"Against that guy, I'm not certain."
Blanc smiled after hearing Alexander's answer.
He's liking this right-hand man of Helena more and more. He's confident but not arrogant against weaker opponents and wary but not intimidated by those stronger than him.
"I see, if that's the case then we cannot meet them in a field. We must create fortifications and fight defensively."
"I'm not sure if Helena would be able to make it back in time but let's not count on that. Let's fight with a mindset that Helena would not be back in time for the battle."
Blanc took out a map and put it on the table.
He then began discussing their defense plan together with Alex.
After a few rounds of back-and-forth discussion along with a little debate, the two of them decided that it would be best to be a bit proactive and block the enemy's path at a small valley located near their town.
The invaders from the Terravalle Kingdom will surely have to pass through the small valley to get to their town.
After the plan was set, all that was left is to prepare the fortifications and hope that Helena would arrive in time.
Second chapter of the day~ Chapter 46 is out! Enjoy guyss :)
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